The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-12
PITCHER CARUTHERs.
Another Biographical Sketch OF the
Great Baseball Twirler.

Apother Biographical Sketch OF the
Great Baseball Twirler.
Bobby" Caruthers, the man who has
done so much obring the ST. Louis Browns
baseball club up TO the foremost rank, has
doubtless been written up" as much as
any man in America. Here is another
sketch from the Chicago Tribune
"Robert Lee Caruthers was born in
Memphis, Tenn, January 5, 1865. His
father, james i. CaruthCrs, was n dis
tinguished member Of the Tennessee bar
After serving Ms States attorney he was
elected 10 the bench Of the chanccry court
Of Memphis, where he presided for eight
years. The mother OF the subject OF this
sketch was before marriage u Miss Mcneil,
OF Kentucky. Her grandfather, while con-
tinuing 20 reside in Kentucky, invested
literally in Chicago real estate, and she is
now one OF the Mcneil heirs who have
inherited valuable property in this
city. Judge Caruthers was Com
iederate sympathizer during the war,
but was not in the service of
the lost cause During the greater part
Of the war lac and his family were rcfu-
gees. In 1876 he moved 10 this city and
remained here until his death, which &C.
cured September g. 1856. While MIs
Caruthes was opposed 10 Roberts playing
ball, the Judge favored IT, The boy was
slender and delicate in appearance, and his
father believed that the exercise incident
10 the game would benefit him. As 10.
suit the boy INDUCED his love for the
national game, and soon was conspicuous
~ a good ball player among his school
mates. The iirst club he belonged 10 was
the North End club, with which he played
in 1889, lac being then seventeen ycars old.
The following spring he Joined the<lake
Views OF the local amateur league, his po.
sition being that OF catcher. lie played
behind the bat during April and May
Of 1883. About the middle Of MAY
he began 10 practice pitching, and
between that time and the first week
In June he pitched four games for the
team. On the strength Of those four per-
formnnccs in the box he became a pro-
icssional pitcher, being signed June q,
1883, topitch for the Grand Rapids club
Of the Northwestern league Of that year.
His salary that season was s16 n month.
lie did ~ well for Grand Rapids that the
following spring he signed with the Min
neapOlis club, his contract calling for Sl1b
n month. lie remained with the Mime
apolis team until II disbandcd, September
., 1884. Pickering Ia play ball in this
city, he underworld 20 get an engagement
with the Chicago club TO play ON the re
serve team which II was running that
year. but a difference OF $50 lost him 10
Chicago. He asked 800 q month for the
rest OF the season, aud Spalding would not
give more than Si75. While Spalding was
awaiting an acceptance Of his terms Won
der Abe captured the prize at 500
q month, and 'Robby' joined the -. Louis
Browns, September u, 1881. The season
oi 1885 made him famous lie led the
pitchers Of the American association, and
stood fourth in IT, batting record. In Feb
ruary, 1886, lac named 5000 for the sea-
son ~ his terms Ia Won der Abe, but the
latter would not listen a. the demand.
Then Bobby sailed for Europe, with the
intention Of making tour Of the world.
lie got ~ Ear ~ Rome, where lac received
u Cahlcgram nom Won der Ahc tO come
back and sign contract on his own terms.
This brought him back, and hc reached
s. Louis April /. AZ the close Of the sca.
s1n VI 1895 he stood fourth among the
pitchers and second in the list Of baismcn
IN the association. This year his salary
was -. 80. Ills record was fourth among
the pitchers, third IN batting average iGll
and fourth ~ q right fielder. lie bats
either lclt.handcd on righthandcd, M that
'soulh.paw' or 'north.paw' twirlcB are
al alike 10 him, and. while not
having played games enough 10
got record M fielder In
any position except right field, hc has
demonstrated that lac can play any posi-.
ton IN a nine, aud play II we'll Nothing
can induce him 10 90 behind the bat
again. lie stands five feet, ten and one.
hall inches high In his shoes. and weighs
l52 pounds Some Of his friends affect q
belief that he Is troubled with heart dis
case. while others believe his lungs ate
weak. nevertheless he manages 10 play
through each season with loss of very
little time, and the managers are willing
10 take big cbanc,s on his health lie per
aonally Offered Won der Abe IS. 500 for his
release, but failed 10 secure IL.